I hope this message finds you safe and well. I’m writing with an update about Youth For Understanding USA (YFU) and an urgent plea for your immediate help, at one of the most pivotal moments we will ever live through, both as individuals and as a society. First, thanks to the many of you who have already given so generously during our COVID-19 appeal, but more help is needed. Please forgive me for coming directly to the point, but the situation is very bad, so I’ll lay things out as plainly as I can:
We are fighting for the survival of YFU.
On top of the horrifying toll in precious human lives, the COVID-19 pandemic has been catastrophic for many industries, including the world of international student exchange. YFU has already been severely damaged.
Right now, the YFU worldwide network, including YFU USA, is in crisis. The future of YFU is in question because of the pandemic and uncertainty about the months ahead.
YFU has filed for a loan through the CARES Act, but until we have that money in hand, we must extend our limited financial resources. As one step, all staff of YFU USA has agreed to take a deep pay cut, even after saying goodbye to 20 of our colleagues who were laid off 3 weeks ago. We’re doing all that we can, and that is why I am writing again today. I believe there is a pathway through this crisis for YFU, but not without your direct and immediate help and involvement.
It’s important to note that YFU is not the only exchange organization in crisis right now, and we’re actively working with other organizations to ensure the survival of high school exchange. Please think about that for a moment:
YFU’s is fighting for its very survival while battling to ensure the existence of international exchange student opportunities after this pandemic has passed.
Nearly 70 years ago, in the gruesome aftermath of World War II, YFU’s founder, Rachel Andresen, brought 75 German teenagers to the United States and YFU was born. Rachel was inspired by several important things she witnessed in the war-torn rubble of Europe. In 1948, while in Amsterdam, she witnessed the city lights being turned on for the first time after the war. This was a moment of literal and figurative illumination for Rachel, when she vowed to do everything she could to ensure 'that the lights never go out again.'
For the next 70 years, YFU was a beacon of light for world peace.
But after 7 decades, I’m sad to say that this "light" of student exchange is severely threatened — not by a world war between people, but a world war between people and pathogens.
Because of the pandemic, on March 16th, YFU made the extremely difficult decision to end programs for all current 2019-2020 exchange students across the globe. To date, we have returned the majority of our over 900+ students, and we are working to return our remaining students in the coming days, though some must remain due to circumstances in their home countries and travel barriers. Thanks to my colleagues and our many wonderful volunteers, YFU is determined to continue to support these students and host families. They will remain safe.
As a host parent myself, my family had to say goodbye to our German son much earlier than anticipated. Our exchange year was cut short, and my family and I are still coming to grips with that, but it is through this sadness and yes, even anger, that my commitment to lead YFU USA into the future is stronger than ever.
I’d like to share an email I just received from an applicant named Alejandro, who hopes to study abroad with YFU in the spring of 2021. Alejandro wrote:
"I have seen the emergency YFU fundraiser and have donated the amount I can. Please let me
know of any updates regarding Spring 2021 and if it is still planned for departure. I am offering to
help in any way I can. Thank you"
Alejandro’s faith and hope in YFU, despite what is going on right now, is an inspiration to us all!
Indeed, the messages of gratitude and positivity from students, families, alumni, volunteers, and colleagues have me looking towards YFU’s future with optimism. But that future will only be possible if each one of us rallies together in support of YFU during this time of need.
Many friends of YFU, like Alejandro, have asked me what they can do to help right now. Just as there are things you can and should do to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19, there are several important things you can do right now to help support and sustain YFU:
1. Donate today. Every dollar you provide goes directly to help YFU keep the doors of exchange open. You can find more information on our Emergency Campaign at yfuusa.org/emergency. Through the CARES Act, you can now claim charitable deductions on your 2020 tax return up to $300. Please consider donating to YFU in one lump sum or set up monthly contributions so you can take advantage of this special deduction.
2. Start your host family application today at yfuusa.org/apply and commit to hosting this upcoming school year with YFU. Placing students now, even in these uncertain times, gives our partners faith that the exchange year will happen and helps to facilitate the cross-partner payments on which we rely.
3. Show your support for YFU locally in your area and beyond:
Contact your Federal congressional representatives and urge that any additional COVID-19 stimulus legislation contain specific support for the high school J-1 exchange industry and community. A supporting letter co-signed by YFU through its credentialing entity, CSIET, can be found here. Click on these links for contact details for your legislators and senators. Please share this letter and call!
Assist us by connecting with school administrators — as families commit to welcoming a student, encourage school officials to invest in the future through welcoming international exchange students this fall. A letter from CSIET, which you can share with your school administrator or principal, can be found here.
You see, everyone can do something to help YFU right now. And with your help, YFU will survive!
Rachel herself said YFU’s success relies on people:
"Giving and sharing is close to the hearts of people. Families initially take
students to give something, and then they receive so much more than they give.
Their family is enriched, their knowledge of the world is expaded, and their
appreciation of another country and of its people is increased."
She’s right. And what each of us gets from student exchange keeps giving. As we share it with other people, it makes the world a more peaceful place.
Please help me and YFU ensure that Rachel’s dream of 70 years ago will not go dark. Talk to your friends, your family, and others you know about the important role exchange has played in your life. Talk to them about the students you’ve met, the places you’ve seen, and the experiences you’ve shared through meeting or being an exchange student. Rachel’s dream, which has impacted so many lives and helped make the world a more peaceful place, is too valuable to let perish.
Please act now and be the spark that creates the light needed to sustain YFU during this dim time, but into an even brighter future!
With the deepest gratitude,
Scott J. Messing
President & CEO
